The Rovers made four changes to the team for tonight's game against fellow mid-table team, Middlesbrough. Jason Shackell, Brian Stock, John Oster and Dean Shiels were all out with injury and replaced by Sam Hird, John Spicer, Lewis Guy and Paul Heffernan.The Rovers set the game in motion, defending the South Stand end against a Middlesbrough side clad in all sky blue. The Rovers won a corner in the 6th minute following the initial sparring in the early minutes. Although this came to nothing it was followed by another Rovers attack that Heffernan finished with a twenty five yard shot over the bar. General midfield play followed for the next fifteen minutes, with neither keeper troubled until the 25th minute when a thrust down the middle gave Sharp a chance to shoot from 25yards, with Coyne flying to his left to tip it round the post for a corner. Five minutes later, out of nowhere came a strike from JOHNSON, from the left angle of the penalty area that rifled into the top far corner of the Rovers net, a mirror image of the Derby goal in the Cup tie. The visitors began to control the midfield, with the Rovers pushed on to defence. It was the 41st minute before Sharp, receiving the ball on the left ran across the pitch to get in a strike from the edge of the area but Wheater had followed him and deflected the ball for a corner. Straight to the Rovers end and a cross from the Boro' left gave Franks a chance from 6yards in the middle of goal to get in a glancing header but he put it wide of the far post. At the Boro' end Coppinger won the ball and got in a shot from 20yards that was saved by Coyne. Into a minute of added time and, with the crowd shouting for a foul on Chambers, the Boro were allowed to go to the byline before the ball was cut back for FRANKS to rifle in from close range and send the visitors in two goals to the good.
Half time - Doncaster Rovers 0 Middlesbrough 2
The Rovers came out and set their stall out to get something from the game. Three minutes in and good work down their right between Chambers and Spicer brought a corner to the Rovers but it was cleared. Six minutes later, following a a throw in near the right corner flag, Coppinger cut in beating two men on the way before hitting a fierce drive that was deflected just over the crossbar. From the resultant corner Chambers headed wide at the far post. Minutes later another corner to the Rovers came to nothing. This was followed by Heffernan going clear on goal but his shot was blocked for yet another corner that came to nothing. Past the hour and Boro' made their their first real foray into the Rovers half to win successive corners, which were successfully defended. However, on 66 minutes, a misunderstanding between O'Connor and Sullivan resulted in a third goal for Middlesbrough. O'Connor headed over the oncoming Sullivan and all LITA had to do was nod the ball over the line to save the indignity of an own goal to O'Connor. Minutes later, Coppinger intercepted a ball in the Boro half and worked his way into the Boro penalty area but, under challenge, couldn't get any power behind the ball and Coyne made an easy save. This was followed by Guy firng high and wide from 30yards before Heffernan and Coppinger combined to give Coppinger a crack at goal from inside the area but Coyne easily pouched it at the post. In the 81st minute, Coppinger put a great ball down the middle for Guy to run on to and hit a thunderous drive from 18yards that Coyne could only beat out. However, on 83 minutes, a terrific shot from newcomer MUTCH from 30 yards over the keeper and just underneath the bar brought some hope to the Rovers. Another corner to the Rovers came to nothing before O'Connor, just into added time, was penalised for bringing down Lita just outside the penalty area to the left. JOHNSON took the free kick and rifled it into the net.
Result - Doncaster Rovers 1 Middlesbrough 4
Teams - Doncaster Rovers - Neil Sullivan; James Chambers, James O'Connor, Sam Hird, Gareth Roberts; James Coppinger, John Spicer, Mark Wilson, Lewis Guy, Paul Heffernan, Billy Sharp.
Subs used - Jordan Mutch for Spicer 68mins; Byron Webster for Hird 79mins; Sean McDaid for Coppinger 82mins;
Subs not used - Mustapha Dumbuya, Robbie Clark, Charles Fisher, Ben Smith gk.
Cautioned: James O'Connor
Middlesbrough - Danny Coyne; Tony McMahon, David Wheater, Jonathan Grounds, Justin Hoyte; Willo Flood, Gary O'Neill, Julio Arca, Jonathan Franks; Chris Killen, Adam Johnson.
Subs used - Leroy Lita for Franks 57mins; Joe Bennett for Arca 79mins; Andrew Taylor for Hoyte 90+2;
Subs not used - Marvin Emnes, Josh Walker, Jason Steele, Luke Williams
